Inside Soap UK 51 - 2022

Most years, this issue is a quiet one. The calm before the storm of Christmas. Plots are traditionally on hold; circling like planes waiting to land at an overcrowded airport. This year, however, our pre-festive issue runs right up to Christmas Eve Eve (the official name of 23 December – aka the best night out of the year), so all kinds of trouble is already a-bubblin’ in our pages. Or, to return to my metaphor, the maiden flight of Mrs Janine Carter Airways looks set to crash and burn without ever having reached cruising altitude, causing widespread carnage. “Who’s had their sticky fingers on Daniel’s ring?” There’s more wedding-related drama in Weatherfield, where a mysterious miscreant has their sticky fingers on Daniel’s ring, while a christening causes chaos in Emmerdale.…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines There’s massive wedding drama in Walford this week, as Linda makes a last-ditch attempt to stop Mick from marrying pregnant Janine! Preparations are well under way for the big day, but Janine’s secrets and lies are starting to unravel, making the bride-to-be desperate to get a ring on Mick’s finger. Meanwhile, Mick himself is grappling with his lingering love for Linda as he tries to force himself to commit to the mother of his unborn baby. With so much at stake, emotions are running high – but Janine is hell-bent on getting her man… “Janine is anxious, nervous, excited – and determined to get this wedding done!” asserts Charlie Brooks, who plays the Square villainess. “She’s terrified that Mick is going to fall back…

Mick and Janine look set to move away – but isn’t the Vic what Janine truly wants? I’m quite surprised because I thought she’d do everything to stay in that pub; but getting Mick away from Linda is her super-objective. It’s more important for her to be alone with Mick and the baby, so the Vic is something she has let go of – for now. Why do you think Janine behaves like she does? I don’t feel Janine has ever been loved to the point where she feels safe. We don’t know what her relationship with her mum was like before she died, but since then Janine’s been loved conditionally. It was quite hard for her, and not that it excuses her behaviour, but it helps me understand why…

Baby Esther didn’t have the most peaceful entry into the world, born to terrified mum Amelia during the recent killer storm. But it’s a storm of a different kind that hits the little’un’s christening this week, as a village feud boils over during the ceremony! After fists fly at the church, Charity finds herself arrested – and the repercussions of the showdown see pregnant Chloe homeless for Christmas… “Chloe doesn’t go to the christening intending to cause trouble, that’s not something that crosses her mind,” explains Jessie Elland, who plays her. “As far as she is concerned, the christening is a bit of a reprieve from all the drama. Plus, she has Kerry’s absence and her own baby to worry about!” FISTICUFFS AT THE FONT! As Amelia prepares for Esther’s…

Despite having to referee a village brawl, Charles is able to oversee a much more joyous moment later in the week – as the locals come together for a festive singalong. The vicar is proud as punch as his church choir belts out some classic Christmas tunes outside the village hall for the gathered parishioners, raising much-needed funds for a stroke charity in the process. It’s a cause close to everyone’s hearts following Marlon’s stroke earlier this year, and the audience digs deep to make sure the collection tin is full to the brim by the end of the evening. The villagers are full of festive cheer as they enjoy music, food and drink – but how long will the merry atmosphere last?…

Disaster strikes for Daniel this week, when his plans to surprise Daisy with a festive proposal are shattered by cold-hearted thieves! It’s the second nightmare before Christmas for Daniel, as he and Daisy face up to the terrifying possibility that she could have breast cancer. Having freaked out at the idea of losing Daisy in the same way he lost Sinead, Daniel almost ruins their relationship. It’s no wonder he thinks a big gesture will put things back on track – but a robbery at the Barlow house wrecks it all… “Daniel has realised just how much Daisy means to him, and he doesn’t want to waste any more time,” reveals our Corrie insider. “Proposing at Christmas will be magical, and Daniel hopes that Daisy will love the surprise. But…